U.S. patent application number 11/466316 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-01 for electronic deactivation device for rfid surveillance and storage.
Invention is credited to Ryan Corley, Mark Pempsell.
Application Number | 20070046469 11/466316 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37803326 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070046469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pempsell; Mark ; et
al. |
March 1, 2007 |
Electronic Deactivation Device for RFID Surveillance and
Storage
Abstract
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an
electronic deactivation device for RFID surveillance and storage is
provided. In a particular embodiment, a deactivateable radio
frequency identification device includes a capacitor and a passive
component coupled with a RFID circuit, wherein the capacitor is
operable to be disabled upon receipt of a signal of sufficient
magnetic amplitude, and wherein disabling the capacitor disables
the circuit. In another embodiment, a deactivateable radio
frequency identification device includes a capacitor and an active
component coupled with a RFID circuit, wherein the capacitor is
operable to be disabled upon receipt of a signal of sufficient
magnetic amplitude, and wherein disabling the capacitor disables
the circuit.
Inventors: |
Pempsell; Mark; (Bedford,
TX) ; Corley; Ryan; (Austin, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
2001 ROSS AVENUE
SUITE 600
DALLAS
TX
75201-2980
US
|
Family ID: |
37803326 |
Appl. No.: |
11/466316 |
Filed: |
August 22, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60713945 |
Sep 1, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/572.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K 19/07749 20130101;
G08B 13/2417 20130101; G08B 13/242 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/572.1 |
International
Class: |
G08B 13/14 20060101
G08B013/14 |
Claims
1. A deactivateable radio frequency identification device,
comprising: a capacitor and a passive component coupled with a RFID
circuit; wherein the capacitor is operable to be disabled upon
receipt of a signal of sufficient magnetic amplitude; and wherein
disabling the capacitor disables the circuit.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the passive component is a
resistor.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the RFID circuit is operable to
transmit in the 50 kHz to 10 MHz range.
4. A deactivateable radio frequency identification device,
comprising: a capacitor and a active component coupled with a RFID
circuit; wherein the capacitor is operable to be disabled upon
receipt of a signal of sufficient magnetic amplitude; and wherein
disabling the capacitor disables the circuit.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the active component is an
inductor.
6. The device of claim 4, wherein the active component is a
coil.
7. The device of claim 4, wherein the RFID circuit is operable to
transmit in the 50 kHz to 10 MHz range.
8. A method of constructing a deactivateable radio frequency
identification device, comprising: coupling a capacitor is an
active component; and coupling the capacitor and active component
with a RFID circuit; wherein the capacitor is operable to be
disabled upon receipt of a signal of sufficient magnetic amplitude;
and wherein the capacitor is coupled to the active component and
RFID circuit such that disabling the capacitor disables the
circuit.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the active component is an
inductor.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the active component is a
coil.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the RFID circuit is operable to
transmit in the 50 kHz to 10 MHz range.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/713,945 filed Sep. 1, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to radio frequency
identification devices and, more particularly, to an electronic
deactivation device for RFID surveillance and storage.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The problem of protecting merchandise and the like against
theft from retail stores has been the subject of numerous technical
solutions. Among these, a tag or marker may be secured to an
article to be protected. The tag responds to an interrogation
signal from transmitting apparatus situated either at the exit door
of the premises to be protected, or at the aisle way adjacent to
the cashier or check out station. A receiving coil on the opposite
side of the exit or aisle way from the transmitting apparatus,
receiving a signal produced by the tag in response to the
interrogation signal the presence of the response signal indicates
the tag has not been removed or deactivated by the cashier, and
that the article bearing it may not have been paid for or properly
checked out.
[0004] There is a rising use of the radio frequency identification
("RFID") devices due in part to retail outlets dictating to their
suppliers the requirement of such devices. When such a device is
specified to the supplier, this is known as "source tagging." By
tagging inventory with an RFID tag, the retailer may be able to
precisely track the inventory from the receiving dock, to the
display area, completely through to the point of sale and the
electronic article surveillance ("EAS") interrogation gates.
[0005] Radio frequency identification devices or RFID tagging exist
in numerous systems for the identification and tracking of
inventory, raw materials, materials in manufacturing, or other
items in a variety of locations, such as manufacturing facilities
and the like. Accurate and inexpensive locating, tracking, and
inventorying of the physical location of items such as parts,
goods, and materials is a necessity for many operations, such as
manufacturing and warehousing, for a number of reasons. One such
application includes the desire to quickly determine the physical
location of a part in the manufacturing process, to determine if a
part is present in inventory or storage, to determine quantity of
an item on hand, tracking the progress of an item in manufacturing,
and/or many other such functions.
[0006] Several different types of RFID tags have been disclosed in
literature and are in use. In one type, the apparatus is a passive
RFID tag material tracking system capable of real-time location and
identification of thousands of items in production and storage
areas. Passive RFID tags are tracked by remote sensing antennas
placed in locations to be monitored or scanning interrogators with
several multiplexed antenna inputs are attached to sensing antennas
and a computer which in turn communicates with interrogators
thereby determining exact item location and quantity.
[0007] A second type of RFID tagging comes in the form of
externally activated or source active tags. The above mentioned
devices are in an active state of data stream transmitting. In the
active RFID scheme, the identifying device containing encoded
information is placed on or in the goods, or other items to be
identified by an RFID reader. The encoded information is read by
the reader with no user data entry generally required. The
information encoded on the RFID tag is then typically passed to a
processing medium for decoding. The content of the encoded
information may consist of, but is not limited to, data on
manufacturing tractability, inventory control, purchase price, and,
in some cases, the date of purchase.
[0008] Electronic article security system and in particular the use
of the RFID tag discussed above have been shown to be very
effective in inventory control and unauthorized removal of
articles, particularly at the point of sale.
[0009] There is a growing concern among both advocacy groups and
consumers in regard to invasion of privacy. It is a well-founded
concern. When the RFID tag is activated, the item may stay
activated past the point of sale and continue to transmit the
encoded data stream while the item resides at the consumer's place
of residence. In this situation, any person or agency that has in
their possession the correct decoder, may be able to scan a
consumer's residence or business, thereby obtaining personal
information on the person, which may include purchasing habits
and/or trends.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention relates to the deactivation of RFID
tags by integrating a custom formulated tape with dielectric
constants coupled to and in close proximity to the transmission
device of the RFID transmitter and utilizing existing EAS
technology and/or custom electromagnetic devices. It is the purpose
of this invention to disable said tag by means of disabling the
capacitor trunk.
[0011] Particular embodiments of the present invention provide a
means of disabling EAS tags capable of producing identifying signal
characteristics or data bits. The transmitter signal is identified
by a device which is composed of a circuit containing a capacitor
and inductor or coil. When connected in conjunction with existing
RFID circuitry, the tag responds by emitting a signal or data
stream that is detected by a receiver. In particular embodiments,
the RFID transmitters operate in the 50 kHz to 10 MHz range.
Particular embodiments of the present invention may use a
formulated tape with dielectric constants that can be custom
manufactured to match customer specifications. When a signal of
sufficient magnetic amplitude is presented to this device, such as
seen in retail outlets for deactivating EAS tags, the capacitor in
the tagged item will be disabled, thereby permanently disabling the
RFID tag. The procedure of disabling the capacitor may be present
at the point of input or output of said RFID tag.
[0012] The procedure examined in the previous statements for
disarmament of RFID article surveillance and tracking systems will
provide the means to the manufacturing industry and the retailers
in regard to the matter of invasion of privacy issues.
[0013] Other technical advantages of the present invention may be
readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following
figures, descriptions, and claims. Moreover, while specific
advantages have been enumerated above, various embodiments may
include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] For a more complete understanding of the present invention
and features and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the
following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a capacitor in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates an input circuit of an RFID tag in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a transmission antenna for a RFID tag in
accordance with a particular embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] In the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
logical mechanical, electrical and structural changes may be made
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To
avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to
practice the invention, the description may omit certain
information known to those skilled in the art. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a capacitor device
100, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, capacitor device 100 comprises a
capacitor substrate 101, which may consist of ceramic or tape. A
capacitor 102 is bonded to the substrate 101. Located within the
parameters of substrate 101, an active or passive component 103 may
be encapsulated along with the capacitor 102 onto the substrate 1,
thereby forming a circuit. When connected in conjunction with
existing RFID circuitry, the tag responds by emitting a signal or
data stream that is detected by a receiver. In particular
embodiments of the present, RFID transmitters operate in the 50 kHz
to 10 MHz range. Particular embodiments of the present invention
may use a formulated tape with dielectric constants that can be
custom manufactured to desired specifications.
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a RC circuit 200 in accordance with a
particular embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2,
RC circuit 200 comprises a capacitor 202 and a passive component
203, such as a resistor, coupled to a RFID device 204.
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a LC circuit 300 in accordance with a
particular embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3,
LC circuit 300 comprises a capacitor 302 and an active component
303, such as an inductor, coupled to a RFID device 304.
[0022] When a magnetic or electromagnetic signal have sufficient
magnetic amplitude is presented to circuits 100 (FIG. 2), 200 (FIG.
2) or 300 (FIG. 3), the capacitor in the circuit may be disabled,
thereby permanently disabling the circuit. The procedure of
disabling the capacitor may be present at the point of input or
output of said RFID tag.
[0023] Numerous systems exist for tracking of inventory, raw
material and the performance of material in various locations, such
as manufacturing facilities, inventory control, and the like.
Accurate and inexpensive locating, tracking, and inventory location
of the items, such as parts, goods and materials, may be necessary
for smooth and accurate manufacturing and warehousing.
[0024] Electronic article surveillance (EAS) system technology is
used to identify articles as they pass through a gated area in a
store. This identification is used to alert someone that
unauthorized removal of items is being attempted. EAS systems may
be useful anywhere there is an opportunity for theft of items at
any size, EAS technologies are being produced to reduce
shoplifting, help increase sales, lower labor costs speed
inventory, improve stockroom logistics and increase security at
manufacturing and distribution facilities.
[0025] The Radio Frequency ("RF") or RFID device systems are widely
used in the United States. A RF system tag or label basically is a
miniature disposable electronic circuit and antenna attached to a
product and responds to a specific frequency emitted by a
transmitter antenna. The RF tag response signal may be processed
and trigger an alarm when it matches specific criteria.
[0026] RFID devices are gaining popularity in the global retail and
industrial industries. A RFID system tag is a miniature electronics
circuit that transmits a data bit transmission of readable
information. These devices are offered in both the passive and
active state, with the industry moving more towards using active
state RFID tags. These devices may offered in a variety of
circuitry and packaging. However, the same conditions must accrue
for the expectable response from the device. For example, the
device must contain an external or internal power source, a
processor and a transmitter. This invention utilizes a technology
that addresses the external and internal power source along with
the transmitter.
[0027] Each of these RF systems operate on different principles and
are not always compatible, and have specific benefits and
disadvantages. The Consumer Product Manufacturers' Association is
encouraging a tower centric RF approach that can read multiple tag
technologies rather then the tag-centric models that exist today.
Particular embodiments of the present invention may be capable of
incorporating existing RF, RFID, and EAS technologies, and may also
include future tower-centric technologies currently under
development.
[0028] Although particular embodiments of the method and apparatus
of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying
drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it
will be understood that the invention is not limited to the
embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements,
modifications, and substitutions without departing from the spirit
of the invention as set forth and defined by the following
claims.
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